President Received C.B. 10-38, CD1, on Reorganization of the FSM Executive Branch

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): December 3,
1997 - President Jacob Nena received on November 26, 1997, the
Reorganization of the FSM Executive Branch, Congressional Bill 10-38,
for his review and approval or disapproval, according to President's
Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs, Tony Otto.

A Cabinet meeting was held on November 27th to discuss in detail
and to make comments on it before action is taken by the President.

The Standing Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations
favorably reported the bill out with minor changes. The intent and
purpose of the bill as expressed in its title are to amend relevant
sections of the FSM Code.

The bill reorganizes the departments and offices of the Executive
Branch and changes the terms of the President's appointment
authority.

There are six departments, namely the Department of Economic
Affairs; Department of Finance and Administration; Department of
Foreign Affairs; Department of Health, Education and Social Affairs
and Department of Justice, and Department of Transportation,
Communication and Infrastructure, and the Office of Public Defender.

Functions of other offices are to be emerged into relevant and
appropriate departments and offices will go with the new
reorganization.

Upon becoming law with or without the President's signature, it
will take effect on January 1, 1998, consequently, all secretaries
and heads of offices shall resign except the Public Defender who is
not required to resign.

The President must appoint new secretaries whose nominations
require the confirmation by Congress.

C.B. 10-38, CD1, specifically stated that except for officials
whose appointments are for fixed terms, a public official whose
appointment is subject to the advice and the consent of the Congress
shall submit his resignation no later than 90 days after the
President of FSM takes oath of office, or at the time a new nominee
for such position is confirmed by the Congress, whichever is earlier.

C.B. 10-38, CD1, is flexible regarding nominations of deputy or
assistant to the ambassadors and consul generals. A floor amendment
during the second reading of the bill also gives President a flexible
option for nomination of deputy department secretary.

The reorganization was originally requested for by Congress in
order to improve the overall structure and efficiency and to reduce
the cost of the government to be commensurate with the declining
funding resources of the government.

A Presidential Task Force on Restructure recommended elimination
and consolidation of certain offices and merging of certain
departments became the basis of the reorganization.